Advertisement

Hundreds of thousands of rail passengers from across the region faced difficult journeys - as they struggled to get home because of strike action by South Western Railway workers. Transport Correspondent Mike Pearse reports.

Hundreds of thousands of rail passengers face two days of disruption on the trains as guards strike on services run by South Western Railway, Island Line and Southern. It is over changes to the role of guards and having a second member of staff on trains.

There is disruption for hundreds of thousands of rail commuters in the region this morning, after some rail staff walked out on strike in a row over the role of guards and a dispute over having a second member of staff on trains.

Services operated by South Western Railway, Island Line and Southern have been affected. Our Transport Correspondent Mike Pearse sent this from Basingstoke railway station.

Passengers travelling on rail services from Kent and East Sussex to London have faced more disruption this morning after emergency changes to the timetable were made late last night.

All Southeastern trains that were due to run into Waterloo will now be diverted to Blackfriars because of fears engineering works might overrun at the station.

Services were to use the Waterloo International terminal while London Bridge, Waterloo East and Charing Cross are closed this week to allow for works on the Thameslink project.

"We're now unable to run services to Waterloo as planned on Tuesday due to the major upgrade works. We have been instructed by Network Rail to run these trains to and from Blackfriars instead. Our passengers' tickets will be accepted on specific Tube and London buses to ensure a smooth onward journey. We will also have more Southeastern employees at stations to help our passengers.

"We would like to remind everyone to check before they travel and follow us on twitter @SE_railway and check our website for the latest information."